The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Private First Class Manuel G. Rister (ASN: RA-23479155), United States Army, for gallantry in action as a member of Company E, 23d Infantry Regiment, 2d Infantry Division, in action against an armed enemy on 8 March 1951, near Yangjimal, Korea. On that date he was a member of a rifle platoon which was attacking a hill in the vicinity of Yangjimal. As the platoon advanced, it was subjected to heavy enemy machine gun and mortar fire which temporarily halted the attack. At this time Private Rister volunteered to reconnoiter the area in order to locate the enemy machine gun. Under heavy fire, he located the enemy position. When he spotted the enemy gun, he crawled until he was within range, and then threw grenades into the enemy position until he had destroyed the gun and killed its crew. His courageous action relieved the pressure on his unit and enabled it to advance and secure its objective. The gallantry displayed by Private Rister reflects great credit upon himself and upholds the highest traditions of the Military Service of the United States.